Online information sessions: 24 June

Drawing on both the civil and common law tradition, this unique
programme offers the ideal platform for you to develop expertise in core areas of private law from a comparative perspective, and to benefit from research-led teaching from legal scholars who are recognised as experts in their field.

It provides you with the opportunity to obtain an advanced qualification that is both academically rigorous and professionally beneficial, by combining the comparative study of key areas of private law with the dynamics of European harmonisation initiatives.

The programme is particularly suited to those who have studied a range of private law subjects at undergraduate level, although it is also open to those whose undergraduate law degree has combined other specialisations.

This programme offers a wide range of subjects that deal with various aspects of private law from a comparative and European perspective, as well as courses on legal theory and legal history. In addition, you can select courses from a wide list of options offered by the School, allowing you to tailor the LLM to your specific interests.

You must complete 180 credits of study – 60 credits are taken in the compulsory dissertation and the remaining 120 credits are taken in taught courses. You will choose a minimum of 80 credits from the core courses and up to 40 credits of option courses.

Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances or lack of demand for particular courses, we may not be able to run all courses as advertised come the start of the academic year.

This programme is designed to equip students with recognised Masters-level training in European Private Law.

You will receive advanced legal training enabling you to identify and interpret problems relating to private law using tools of comparative analysis.

As well as providing training in legal research, you will gain an understanding of the main challenges for modern comparative law, including issues of European harmonisation. The programme will also enable students to progress to the PhD should they so wish.

This programme will provide you with an excellent foundation for both doctoral research in the growing field of comparative and European private law and legal practice in transnational law firms, or employment in international organisations.

International qualifications

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

For 2020 entry we accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module)

TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 23 in each module)

PTE Academic: total 67 (at least 61 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 7.0 in the writing component and 6.5 in each other module)

TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 25 in writing and 23 in each other module)

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 185 in writing and 176 in each other module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

*(Revised 21 February 2020 to remove PTE Academic from 2021 entry requirements. Revised 21 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition in 2020 and 2021 entry requirements.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)

LLM Comparative and European Private Law - 1 Year (Full-time)

LLM Comparative and European Private Law - 2 Years (Part-time)

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number
SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a
“Recognised body” which has been
granted degree awarding powers.